Infernals?

[xarvh]

No defilers?


For shame!


(Reposted from a previous HR).


-------------------------------------


"Did the Gods show mercy to your sister?


Did they show pity, or even the faintest spark of interest?


When her humanity, and her life, were denied, did


the Gods look away from the Games for a single heartbeat?"


The woman did not answer.


She was standing on her knees in front of the horror, as the flickering lights of the


pyre in front of her danced on her face.


Her mouth wide open, a scream choked deep down the throat.


The arms collapsed on the ground, empty of strength or will.


Her eyes, wide open, had already forsaken desperation for utter emptiness.


Her body still, the mouth twitched; then spoke.


"I.."


The words were coming out heavy, slowly, encumbrant.


Lies too big to be told without the ego screaming silently against itself.


"I was so close... Just some more studying... It was almost in my hands!"


The Demon sighed.


"Your dedication in your studies cannot be denied.


Nor can your genuine desire to help.


But you should ask yourself, why did you waited for so long, with so much at the stake?"


She swallowed and stared in front of her.


It didn't matter anymore, after all.


Nothing mattered anymore.


The truth stood there, naked, clear, undeniable.


"For so many years I could have done something.


Studying...


No, I was just hiding... from... responsibility."


Tears broke, silently, as she stared away from the fire and to the ground.


Then sadness became anger.


"Save me!"


"Redemption is possible. But you know there is a price to pay.


Are you willing to pay it?"


Suddenly, the woman looked alive, a dark flame sparking in her eyes.


She had choosen her path already, this was a mere formality.


The flames disappeared, around them everything disappeared.


It was just her and the Demon, and her voice showed no hesitation, no faltering: cold, rational and determined.


"Yes."


------------------------------------


Name: Lucretia


Concept: Mad Genious


Motivation: Free Man from the tyranny of the Gods


Urge: Adjorani, Sever the ties between Heaven and Creation


Caste: Defiler


Unwoven Coadjutor: Teodozjia

 

[Coyotekin]

I would love to join but it seems the roster may be rather full already.

 

[Norts]

I'll be posting up my Fiend concept later today once I have the book available to me again.

 

[Sarodinian]

Likewise with my Malefactor.

 

[Blackadder]

Ok, just listing the concepts currently posted for everyone's current notice (including my own reference.)


Goletan - Slayer


Ebon_Arbiter - Slayer or Fiend


Xarvh - Defiler


Arion Wind - Fiend


Zoronos - Fiend or Malefactor or Scourge (If one is selected, only one will be)


Sarodinian - Malefactor


Norts - Fiend


Inari - Slayer


Pendragon - Scourge


Feantari - Slayer or Defiler


Also, at this point I will cut off the allowing people to be in the running. In other words, all those who have shown interest in playing up until now will be considered, everyone after this point is too late.

 

[Arion Wind]

Oops, sorry forgot about that whole thing. ops:


He's intended as a Fiend, but could also work as a Malefactor. So either of those would work.

 

[Golentan]

How much longer until your decision? (How long do I have to expand my background?)

 

[Blackadder]

Golentan: Your background can be as long as you wish.


All: Those who have not put up their concepts have until 11:59 PM, Tuesday. Then, I start judging.

 

[Golentan]

Golentan: Your background can be as long as you wish.
All: Those who have not put up their concepts have until 11:59 PM, Wednesday. Then, I start judging.

The second was what I was asking. Coolio.

 

[Blackadder]

Sorry, that should be Tuesday. I've edited the above post.

 

[Norts]

Fiend concept go!


Name: Cathak Zerik, the Grinning Serpent


Concept: Manipulator Extraordinaire


Caste: Fiend


Motivation: Bring down the Realm under the weight of its own decadence


Urge (Ophidian): Spread a love of twisted and sickening hedonism


I was always sickly. My earliest memories are of being stuck in bed, secluded in a hidden room on my family's estate. There were no windows, no light. I lived in the darkness, yearning for the light, but lacked the physical capacity to even leave my bed most days. My father thought this disgraceful amongst a house of warriors, and visited me only when he had to. My mother simply ignored me. My brother, he came to me every day he could, telling me stories of his adventures in the House of Bells, and then the Legions. He was Dragonblooded, of course, unlike me. Every day he was at home, he would tell me more stories, and every night I prayed to the Dragons to heal my weak body, to grant me their strength. In the shadows I could pretend I was a mighty warrior, or a wise monk. The light of my father's morning visit dispelled my dreams each day. I began to hate him, with a passion I had never known before. Who was he to place me in seclusion, kept away for fear of my weakness somehow bringing shame on his family?! Who was he to decide that I would spend my life trapped in a dark room with no company but books?! The whispers of a dark plan began building in my mind.


That was when I began poisoning my brother against him.


I had developed quite the silver tongue over the years, with nothing but servants and scrolls left to me. I began fabricating tales of conspiracy, treachery, and deceit, with my father involved in all of them. At first, he simply believed me to be lashing out against father, but eventually he began to believe me. I forged letters and missives with a stolen stamp from my father's study, purloined by a blackmailed servant. I used news of criminal activity, spies, and Anathema sightings to put the niggling doubt of our father into my brother's head. The final stroke came after mother died, though.


He had always been closer to mother than father. It didn't take much to convince him that father had done it on purpose, removed her to further his own ends. It was then that my brother began plotting with me. In the end, we chose the sword for our father, a symbol of everything he placed stock in. One late night, I called him into my room while my brother waited in the shadows. As he entered, my brother struck him from behind. Our father, being the excellent warrior he was, partially dodged the blow. Bleeding and furious, he struck at the shadowed attacker not knowing it was his own son. The fury he laid into him was quite impressive, and I knew then that this wouldn't work as planned.


I'm not sure where I got the strength for it, but I hauled myself from my bed as they wrestled about the room. Somehow, I managed to lift my brother's sword from the floor. I struck, and amazingly I hit. Admittedly, I impaled them both, but such was the price to pay. As they died in astonishment, the creature lifted itself from the shadows. The same sibilant whisper that had put the plan into my mind now offered me the freedom I craved so much. It promised me a body free from the weakness I had felt all my life, and the power to explore all that had been forbidden me before. Without a second thought, I accepted, and vanished into the shadows alongside my new friend.

 

[xarvh]

That was awesome Norts! :shock:

All: Those who have not put up their concepts have until 11:59 PM, Tuesday. Then, I start judging.

What Time Zone?

 

[Blackadder]

EST.

 

[Norts]

It's all the built up agony of missing Infernal recruitment here, sometimes by hours, since the book came out. The first sentence just popped into my head, and then I went into a trance, and when I came to, it was finished.

 

[Sarodinian]

Some additional background Information on my idea.


Edit: Added picture.

Spoiler

Name: Ferric Glaston, The Man of Glass and Steel.


Concept: Faustian Bargainer


Caste: Malefactor


Motivation: Own the Blessed Isle.


Urge: Turn the Blessed Isle from the Immaculate Philosophy. (Unsure what sort of Urge that'd be)


Unwoven Coadjutor: Unknown yet.


Ferric Glaston was the second-born son of a wealthy, Guild-backed steel magnate in Nexus, and grew up amongst businessmen. He was an educated man, learning the trade of his family and showing a knack of unparalleled business acumen. However, his family ascribed to the philosophy of Primogeniture, and his older brother was an incompetent fool. Over time, Ferric's father grew ill, and, resenting the fact that his brother would inherit the business, he plotted to slay his brother, and his father, to take the business over.


Things went wrong.


The plan was discovered, and his co-conspirators were found out. Ferric was subsequently disowned, and his brother gained his inheritance. As Ferric rotted in his cell, he heard a voice.


"Sickened, by that incompetent fool of your brother taking what is rightfully yours?"


"Of course I am. That fool will run Glaston Steel right into the ground. My father is a fool for trusting him anyway. The Guild are fools for allowing this to happen. I deserve more..." Ferric replied to the air around him.


"In a proper world, the ones with the ability would rule over the ones who do not.


"Alas, such is not so in this broken world today."


"It doesn't have to be this way though."


"I will offer you a simple business proposition."


"A partnership, if you will."


"My...Organization...would have real use for a man of your caliber. What I propose is that I bestow upon you the power, the wealth, and, most importantly, the responsibility you truly deserve. A business venture. A product that is in high demand, but no other company can really sell. The product can take many forms, but is ultimately whatever the customer desires, whether he knows he wants it or not. Anything they want, you will be able to provide...for a price."


"For what is the master of Nexus's steel industry compared to the man who owns a continent?"


"And what do I get in return? Why, the satisfaction of seeing you set the world back on its right and proper course. I can assure you that your new partners would be very capable beings, easily able to handle the little obstacles that stand in the way of business."


"Heheh. When you put it that way, how can I possibly refuse? You have a deal, strange voice." Ferric said.


And so, Ferric Glaston was encased within a chrysalis, deep within the walls of the dungeons in Nexus. He emerged changed, powerful...No longer was he simply Ferric Glaston, he was reborn, -reforged- as The Man of Glass and Steel. After bargaining for his escape from the Nexus prisons, he was directed down to Malfeas, where his real training began...


He currently is now out and about, offering his vict- I mean customers-, everything they could ever want, for prices that are "only fair." Of course, said prices ultimately are fair only to him...

 

[Ebon_Arbiter]

It's all the built up agony of missing Infernal recruitment here, sometimes by hours, since the book came out. The first sentence just popped into my head, and then I went into a trance, and when I came to, it was finished.

Spontaneous inspiration is sometimes truly amazing. As if all of a sudden all obstacles are removed and ideas flow naturally like an unblocked stream of clear water


On a sidenote, i added something more to my character's background, reffering to his martial arts sifu etc. I only wanted to say that this part will be valid if - in case i'm selected - i decide to utilize mainly martial arts and specifically Infernal Monster style. The other option is that i will simply focus on melee in terms of main combat ability, utilizing appropriate Malfeas charms and if this will be the case, then this specific part of my background story may consequently not be entirely fitting.


Also, a question. Are we allowed to post multiple character concepts? (i have a fiend in mind, apart from the slayer i already posted) If allowed, here follows my Fiend caste character as well, if not then simply disregard him.


Actually, from this character's title it was that i took my current forum name (i had created that character for another game off-site some time ago that didn't go as well as we hoped), Ebon Arbiter, since this character has acquired a darker skin tone since his exaltation, reflecting the Darkness of his insidious Patron upon his very flesh and acts as an adjudicator of his fellow infernal princes' and other peers' differences, fullfilling one of his Patron's duties bestowed upon him.


As with my slayer character, combat abilities may be modified later.


Ishiro the Ebon Arbiter

Spoiler

His general concept is that of a spymaster-infernal adjudicator-martial artist. He used to be a scion of House Ferem (the realm unrecognised but nevertheless influential noble house in Cherak) who was used and betrayed by terrestrial exalted of the Realm and was subsequently persuaded by the Shadow of All Things to pledge his allegiance to him, accept his gifts and power and overthrow the terrestrials and Incarnae in order to bring back to power the rightful and ancient leaders of Creation, the Primordials.


He's quite talkative and manipulative, prefering subtle methods whenever possible, taking advantage of misdirection, concealment of himself and his motives to catch others off-guard and also deadly precision and devastation when time calls for it. He takes very seriously his duties to the Allthing Infernal as a Fiend, which is to properly adjudicate over the differences of his peers and spends quite some time in Malfeas. During his stay there he has received additional combat training in Surantakal's vaunted academy, with him as his respected mentor and is determined to master Snake style one day, as it suits his own nature very well.


In greater detail:


I envisioned my character (Ishiro the Ebon Arbiter) as a diplomat first, loyal to the Yozi that exalted him and eager to prove his fealty, serve his master and assist in the coming of the Reclamation.


This he tries to achieve by a variety of means.


As a diplomat and ambassador for the Yozis he contacts potential allies and various third parties in effort to secure favorable deals or corrupt any existing opposition.


Also he acts as a mediator and problem solver for his fellow Green Sun Princes, taking great pride in this duty he performs and secretly enjoying that his is the word that will soothe his "brothers" and allow his master's plans to proceed unhindered. After all there are precious few of his peers and no time to waste on meaningless feuds.


He enjoys spending time in Demon city, owning a nicely decorated estate there, overseen by his personal demonic familiar (and consort) a clever, capable and exceedingly sensuous neomah with which he has a relationship since his exaltation.


He has a room dedicated to military exercises and another as a library.


Takes very seriously the matters brought in the attention of the Conventicle Malfeasant not so because of any affection to his peers but more so because of he acknowledges intuitively the need to work cooperatively in a grand scale if they are to achieve their purpose.


He tries to be as self-sufficient as possible since the number of his peers doesn't allow for extended help and cooperation while in Creation. But this for Ishiro is a way to rise through adversity and become more accomplished in the eyes of his master.


To this end, he continues to devote a considerable amount of his time spent in Malfeas, training in martial arts (in the Ten Shadow Academy and also at times with the famous martial arts grandmaster Suntarankal for whom he harbours an increased amount of respect) and expanding his knowledge and abilities.


Mastery of the snake style is one of his short to mid-term goals as the techniques appeal strangely to him and also allow him a considerable measure of protection and combat capability even without weapons or armor readily available.


Besides he knows that there is a time of negotiations and a time for decisive action and to fall behind in either could prove fatal. This is a risk the Ebon Arbiter cannot allow.


To further enhance the effectiveness of his techniques he also uses his tainted moonsilver serpent-sting-staff, an artifact forged of the finest moonsilver and then infused with the corrupting qualities of vitriol acquiring interesting properties while in the hands of Ishiro.


As his patron, Ishiro understands his place in the hierarchy and treats all his equals and betters (unquestionable demons, Yozis, fellow green sun princes etc) with respect. He tries to appeal on their more calm and discussive sides so to further his goals and acquire knowledge and "alliances" in the Demon realm. This also is why he can be trusted more than others to adjudicate over many cases brought in the Conventicle.


In addition to that we pays his respects to the temples of Cecelyne.


He has quite an interest in her relentless law and also would like to be on the good side of her servants (as a fiend he may be punishable only by his patron, but if all goes according to plan and Reclamation succeeds, the priests of Cecelyne and her chosen would surely have power enough to warrant his current efforts of staying on amicable terms with them).


Ishiro's anima banner shows a great black serpent uncoiling hypnotically, surrounded by a low hissing sound and a black-purple haze.


*******


Now, a few things about his background and his current place in Creation.


Ishiro grew up in Cherak. Son of a family from House Ferem he witnessed firsthand the politics surrounding it and learn his way in the noble courts of the House and later of the Realm.


His natural aptitude in this field, led him to the position of Diplomat and soon he was traveling, exploring and negotiating for the profit of his city and House.


During this time, he saw how other people viewed the dragon blooded and their kingdom and also what was really happening in many cases behind the niceties and pompous declarations of the Dynasts.


He was displeased as well for being treated as a second class citizen in the Realm and was never quite sure why he had to obey someone merely by virtue of the elemental power they manifested (as he still says from time to time, "exaltation is not a proven cure for idiocy and many other negative traits").


This displeasure was well hidden but slowly eating at him from the inside.


Then, one fateful week the unthinkable happened and his course in life changed forever.


He was participating in a diplomatic mission to tribes of the northern regions in order to secure their aid versus the Bull of the North's expanding tendencies and promote his House interests by forging agreements for new trade routes and acquiring trading rites for the region.


In truth though the purpose of this mission was different, unknown to young and idealist Ishiro, who saw himself as a uniter of people and cultures for common interest and as a soother of disputes (he did that since his childhood even among his, less talkative and more prone to rush action, friends, as he recalls).


The mission was to be accompanied by a small military detachment as an honour guard, but this was only for distraction. The soldiers accompanying them were elite commandos of the Realm, set on eliminating the threat posed by this place. As the strategists of the Realm had decreed the place was to be destroyed and used as a forward operations camp.


But since the needed force to overcome its defences was not possible to be diverted at that time and they had to move fast, they chose deceit and trickery over honesty and bravery.


The negotiations went well and Ishiro was proud of himself. He had even managed to get acquainted with a few dignitaries from the other side and envisioned this mission as great potential for his career. Then, at night, when the settlement was quite and all were asleep the soldiers struck fast, hard and mercilessly.


Ishiro - the clever youth he was by the time - suspected something and before the incursion overheard their officer giving the orders for the massacre. He stepped in, confronting him and threatening to alert the guards and avert his plans but the dragon blooded officer exerted such mental pressure over him, blackmailing him and more that he couldn't resist.


He sat helpless and broken as the soldiers murdered every living creature in the settlement and his soul was full of grief for this and for himself. He felt useless, powerless and cursed himself for being a coward and not daring to stand up and defend those people he had signed pacts with.


He ventured away and it was then that the Shadow of All Things found him. Whispering comforting words and blaming the dragon blooded he found purchase on his soul. If you had the power - the Ebon Dragon said - you would never let that happen, you'd have put this arrogant dynast scum to his place and all would be well. This power i can grant you if only you concede to my plans.


Ishiro thought of it and in the cold North a pact was forged. One that would lead him to his new identity, his new purpose, his new burning desires, his place next to his mighty patron and ultimately to setting things right. For all Creation, once again, back to the way it used to be untold aeons ago.


The firmin sent by Ebon Dragon approached and swallowed him forming his chryssalis grotesque, covered in spikes and his transformation began.


When all was done, Ishiro emerged changed and set on his new course...


Currently Ishiro has become more than a diplomat. His return to Cherak and to the Realm saw his career skyrocketing and from a mere diplomat he evolved enough to penetrate the organization of the All-seeing eye and begin persistently to climb its hierarchy.


The problems that this "august" organization faces are many as of lately (namely after the dissapearance of the Scarlet Empress). This gives Ishiro a greater chance to work unnoticed and further his master's goals.


He's under a false identity there in order to evade the attention of sidereals and the ones that preside over the All-seeing eye in particular and poses as a young and eager water-aspect dragon blooded who seems to take his role and duties very seriously and has won the trust of his peers and superiors with his valuable information and relentless persecution of solar anathema and their various cults and supporters as well as for the information regarding shady dealings among the Houses of the Realm.


In truth he works to weaken the returning solar anathema when they threaten his plans or avert the organization's eyes from those anathema that weaken the Realm's infrastracture as per his plans.


It's a thin line and a dangerous path to tread but Ishiro is willing to see it to the end.


To that end it is that Ishiro redoubles his efforts and prepares accordingly. The Serpent in his anima banner uncoils slowly and his venomous fangs prepare for the deadly bite...

 

[Pendragon1]

I'm aiming for a Scourge, this time around.

Spoiler

Name: Smile Scorned


Caste: Scourge


Concept: Scorned Romantic/ former gentleman Thief


Urge: Adorjani


Come, let me sing you a story, of dreams and desire and the meaning of love.


There was once a man in Chiarascuro, a man of little consequence. He was no noble, and enjoyed the patronage of no spirits, but he was still happy. For though he merely lived within his means by day, at night he lived life as a dream, a fast paced fairy-tale acted out across the towers and minarets of the city. No walls could deny him, no lock deter him, and yet he stole not for riches, but simply for the thrill. With no interest in keeping what loot he took, he always returned his stolen goods, in exchange simply for a smile from his target. In this way, he became known as Smile Stolen.


This would all change during one sweltering season of fire - the time of year when his caution ebbed to its lowest flow and his passions waxed. Normally, Smile Stolen would never dare to encroach upon the dwellings of the Delzahn Nobility - even the thrill from such an escapade would be drowned out by the danger. But that fateful season, Smile Stolen fell in love, with a single noblewoman.


At first he sought to repeat his usual tactics - of stealing something dear to her, then returning it on a certain night in exchange for a smile, but the noblewoman refused to even acknowledge its' disappearance. Later, he sought to catch her attention in the daylit streets, but was ignored - he was after all a man of little consequence. Stricken by love that robbed him of all sense, he resorted to more ridiculous tactics - midnight serenades that saw him wounded and chased away by outraged guards; turning to theft no longer for his own enjoyment but simply to provide gifts to his beloved (gifts that she rejected).


Finally, heartbroken by the rejections, the man found himself jaded in response. If he could not have her, then nobody would. Despite this resolution, he was unable to still the whirling madness of his heart as it simply replaced burning love with freezing hate. It was then that, in his own home, a slinking Angylkae found him. With little regard to what he was signing away, he agreed to serve the Yozis and their agenda, so long as it would either quieten or fulfil his passions.

 

[Feantari]

Shara Wave-song


Caste: Defiler

Spoiler

"Shara was a woman of many talents. A fine woman, and a wonderful wife. This whole village bears the mark of her loving hands. In the wind chimes and jewelry I see it, in the children I see it, and in my friends, healed by her hands, to live on. She fought to the very last, and though we did not find her, I pray that she finds the souls of our children in her next life." - Barem Kal, her loving husband


Shara Wave-song, Defiler in the service of Kimbery, raises her eyes to gaze last on the place of her former life. The demon in her mind restrains her, now is the time for leaving, would she frighten him with her new appearance, surely her death will give him easier comfort now. Shara felt a stinging tear trace her cheek and quickly turned. The sand of the beach shimmered and she was in the desert, alone.


Shara had grown up on the small island, and lived their all her life. She was a healer and an artisan. While her husband crewed on a fishing vessel, she made fine jewely, charms almost ornamental in design, and wards to keep the spirits in line. She tended to the sick and delivered most of the children on the island after old Kawri passed on. Hers was a good life. The sea brought it's trouble and bounty in equal measure and the people danced to it's rhythm.


Until one warm summer evening, fire rained from the sky. Shara rushed to protect her four children, running from her workshop amid the noise and confusion. She found them safely huddled together in the hut and hurried to get them away from the wooden structure. Suddenly Jai shouted, she turned to see a massive ball of fire falling right towards them. Her children clung to her as she turned her mind to protecting them. A shimmer of light danced across her skin just as the fire struck them.


The fire burned hot, but she was alive, it had worked. She opened her eyes ran her fingers through Samra's hair, but it wasn't there. Shara stumbled a few steps and collapsed, silent screams and wails poured from her parched throat, the image of four tiny skeletons burned into her mind. In her grief she heard a voice, comforting her. It talked to her. A stream of babble. Someone helped her up. The cold salt water splashed against her badly burned skin, stinging and soothing. Welcome pain. It led her again, then there was quiet, sleep eventually overtook the grief.


She awoke to the night time sounds of frogs in the forest, somewhere a bird trilled a warning and she looked about to see the one that had helped her. It, he? was obscured by a cloud or mist of some sort. "Why do you toy with me spirit?" She whispered through parched lips. "Why do you keep me from my rightful death?"


Then the voice from before spoke, it's voice was measured and sincere, with.. well.. an almost clicking undertone, "Rest Shara, I have not come to change your fate, I am merely an instrument of it. I have known I would come to you from the moment of my birth."


Another expanse of time passed and she again woke to see the obscured figure at her side, "Ah, now you are ready. Shara, I am here to be your guide, and also to impart a gift. My master has seen your sorrow, and she has seen your capabilities. I know now you are doubting them, but do not. My master sent me with a gift that will give you the ability to protect those you love, to strike those you hate, and to learn the truths of creation."


He watched while she thought about it, fighting through the raw emotions, finally, giving into them. With a tear streaked face she turned to him, "Guide me on this path. My own has been destroyed."


Malfeas was a terrifying place for Shara, but as she learned more, she learned why it was as it was. She was never one for true study, always learning by watching and doing, and sometimes guessing. Eventually she was ready to leave for a time. Waves of sorrow still found her, but her new.. life.. role, duty? Whatever it was, it kept her distracted and busy. She found knowledge within herself she had not learned, she found she could create with the most unlikely things, and finally, she learned that which would have saved her family. More assured she could do what she set to, she went out into creation to spread the love of her patron.

I also have a Slayer that I made for another game, it could also be considered for this game, though I know there are many slayer concepts out there. I quite love scourges, but probably play them enough as is. :-P


Slayer: Iona, Freedom Fighter (Adorjani Urge)

 

[Blackadder]

At this point, I will begin the selections for Scourge Caste and Defiler Caste, because there are only two effective submissions in each. Sorry about jumping the gun, but I've got good senses as to whom I pick from those two. Thus:


THE COVEN, ROUND 1


Slayer: (TBD)


Malefactor: (TBD)


Defiler: Shara Wave-song - Feantari


Scourge: Smile Scorned - Pendragon


Fiend: (TBD)


And here's the breakdown by competitors:


Slayer: Goletan, Ebon_Arbiter, Inari


Malefactor: Sarodinian, Zoronos


Fiend: Norts, Arion Wind, Zoronos


Note: There are also two only in the Malefactor category, but both are appealing and will take me more time to evaluate.

 

[Inari]

Um...I've been working all day on a Defiler still...I was almost done with it when I noticed the selection had been made. Guess I'll still try and post it if I haven't been told not to by then...


Edit: Or...not.

 

[Zoronos]

Since my scourge is out, do you mind if I add a bit to my malefactor? I was trying to keep the descriptions and stories short because I was proposing multiple concepts.

 

[Blackadder]

Fair enough, the fleshed-out factor is not on your side, atm.

 

[Arion Wind]

Some additional information before I completely pass out:


Visual Concept: Traveling gunslinger


Motivation: Ruin every member of the Realm's Deliberative.


Urge (Ophidian): Expose all mortals for the depraved creatures they didn't know they were.


One bit that didn't fit well into the original app is that I imagine Manosque Cyan being responsible for the Magistrate's death. The Ebon Dragon being the treacherous thing he is gets a twisted thrill out of making a new agent who wants nothing more than to end one of his old ones. They have to work together to an extent, but as long as they're working toward his ends, the embodiment of betrayal will also enjoy the subtle backstabbing and sabotage that two exalted Fiends can come up with to throw at each other.


I'm a little worried about the motivation, but I figure even if the Empress's return removes most or all of his enemies from power they'll still have lives and families for him to destroy out of spite.

 

[Crocodile]

I'm just going to withdraw my efforts. As much as I'd love to play I haven't had the time to dream up a good concept. Good luck to the rest of you, I suppose.

 

[Zoronos]

Inari, your characters are always awesome. I hope you post something (I think the confusion stems from BlackAdder listing you in the 'Slayer' column instead of Defiler) if only because I always enjoying reading what you put together.


Anyway, expanded Malefactor!


Expanded info:


Jarran Mar


Motivation: To forge a new and greater kingdom


Concept: Deposed King


Caste: Malefactor


Urge: (Malfean) Stamp out corruption, by any means necessary - I normally don't like to self-define the Urge, since it's theoretically set by the Yozis (aka, the GM), so feel free to redefine it however you please to fit the story.


Unwoven Coadjutor: Agata

Spoiler

The Deposed King


Malefactor


Jarran Mar


Concept:


An old king, with his youth regained and his idealism gone, sees the world through a cynical and arbitrary viewpoint. He has embraced the arbitrary and ‘might makes right’ attitude of Cecelyne, acknowledging that Machiavellian and cutthroat politics are the ‘real way the world works’.


Story:


Jarran Mar built a kingdom out of the ashes of war. His father was a great conqueror, at least as well as mortals can be in the Hundred Kingdoms, with Lookshy looking over everyone’s shoulder. His father may have conquered the land, but after his death, it was Jarran that built the kingdom. From a disorganized land, he sculpted a prosperous, though small, nation. Trade flowed, education was available, and his land was at peace with its neighbors. The guild was kept out, and Lookshy appeased. The people were happy. It was like a golden age for the little province.


An old man, Jarran turned the kingdom over to his sons. He let them decide among themselves who would rule, and the younger, Miyan, took the throne. The elder, Otomon, preferred to remain in his position within the army. Jarran was a very pleased retired old man. For the first few years, at least. Then Miyan launched a series of ‘reforms’. They were, simply put, bald-faced government corruption. Jarran said nothing. After a year, Otomon decided he had enough of his corrupt brother, and with the army staged a coup. Again, Jarran said nothing, after all, perhaps Otomon would not make Miyan’s mistakes. Otomon threw his brother in the dungeons, and ruled with an iron fist. Jarran still said nothing. After two more years, Otomon decided that to quell the last vestiges of resistance, he would have Miyan executed. Jarran finally spoke out. He told Otomon and Miyan that they had both lost their way; that they had forgotten about the people. Jarran declared that he would take back the throne if they did not resolve to mend their ways. Both brothers laughed at their father, and Otomon had the army cast Jarran out of the kingdom, penniless.


That’s when the demon came to him. It commiserated at the upstarts that had overthrown his perfect order. It told him that its patrons understood. It offered him the power to try again, the power to create an even better kingdom. The Chrysalis restored his youth and his strength, and Jarran went forth happily to do the work of the Yozis, to build a better kingdom across all creation.





Old king (pre-chrysalis):

Rejuvenated king (post-chrysalis):

"You will be executed at dawn, and the last of the rebellion will die with you."


The man, legs and wrists bound in chains, spat at the sharply dressed officer. "You think butchering me will save you? You are a murderer and a tyrant!"


The dribble ran down the officer's jacket as the men stared daggers at one another. The officer produced a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped away the saliva. "Throw this thief in the jail for tonight; he dies tomorrow."


The old man seated on a elaborate wooden chair off to the side leaned heavily upon his cane, hands trembling, and lurched to his feat. His voice old and halting, he managed to yell, "Miyan, Otomon, enough!"


The two brothers turned and looked at the old man. In unison the two men began to laugh. The younger brother, with his wrists and ankles bound in chains and being very clearly malnourished, spoke first in a deep voice, "Oh, now you object Father?"


The old man took a single faltering step forward, "Yes, I do! I will not see one of you kill the other! I will not stand..." The man halted his speech, wheezing.


The older brother waved a hand, and a guard stepped forward to put his arm underneath the old man's. "You're right, you will not stand. Sit back down Father, and let the king handle the business of the government."


The old man waved his stick, and tried ineffectually to push away the supporting hand of the guard. "No! I will not stand by while you tear apart this kingdom! Enough Corruption, enough brutality! I will not allow..."


The young man snorted, "And where were you the last 10 years? Where were your objections then, old fool. I may be going to my death, but at least I stood up for something." Miyan was abruptly cut off when the guard standing beside him shoved a truncheon into his stomach.


Otomon smirked, "Enough of the both of you. Throw the young one back in the jail, he dies in the morning. Send the old one back to his room."


Jarran took another step forward, halting, and leaning heavily upon the cane. "No! If you will not listen, I will retake my throne, and..." His words were cut off by a fit of coughing.


Otomon glared at his father, "You will retake nothing, old man. Your time is done, there is nothing more for you. Guards, throw this beggar out into the streets. He is no longer welcome in this castle or this kingdom."


Jarran glared at his son, but any protest was interrupted by wheezing. A second guard stepped forward, and the two carried the old man off, their arms under his shoulders. He weekly attempted to protest, but his words were interrupted by renewed fits of coughing. They carried him through the castle as he attempted to protest, but every other word was interrupted by a wheeze or cough.


The guards threw him out into the streets behind the small castle. They tossed his stick into the dirt at his feet, "Don't forget your scepter, majesty." They gave one last laugh, turned, and went back inside. The door closed on the alley with a loud clang. Jarran struggled to stand, and then slumped back into the dust of the alleyway, his legs unable to support him. He coughed, and crawled to his walking stick.


Bringing himself to his feet with the aid of the stick, he turned a corner and stumblingly tottered into an alcove. He slumped down against the cold stone. That's when he heard the voice, like chiming bells and shimmering crystal, "I saw what they did to you. You made them, and they threw you out."


The old man raised his head, trying to see where the voice was coming from, "Yes, they did... who is there?"


The voice chimed out again in the darkness, "What they did to you was cruel, it was wrong. You built something great, and they will destroy it and each other. My masters know how you feel, the same was done to them. But I can help you, give you the strength to rebuild, greater than before."


The old man shook his head, "My time is done, there is nothing more I can do."


The voice rang through the darkness one last time, "I can give you all the time you need, and the strength to go with it. You can build again, a kingdom that will last forever."


The old man nodded, "I doubt your words, but yes, another chance... another chance to fix it all..."


The old man never saw as the demon-wasp unwound and consumed him, his near-blind eyes failing him in the dark. After five days a new infernal emerged from that darkened alcove. A young man that promptly left the city and kingdom, looking back only once on his former home.